Clemson kicker Greg Huegel is not afraid of failure

Which Lawrence will have a bigger impact on the Cotton Bowl for Clemson, Trevor or Dexter?
Manie Robinson and Scott Keepfer and Barton Boatwright, The Greenville News

Clemson place kicker Greg Huegel (92) reacts after missing a field goal against South Carolina during the 2nd quarter Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Clemson's Memorial Stadium.(Photo: BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)

Five years ago, Greg Huegel never would have imagined the same legs that carried him through the halls of Blythewood High School would walk him onto the football team at Clemson and then to the top of record book.

Huegel auditioned in Clemson’s walk-on tryouts and earned a spot on the team in the summer of 2015. He seized the starting role that season and converted 27 of 32 field goal attempts. He amassed 138 points, 10 more than the previous school season record held by Clemson luminary C.J. Spiller.

Huegel became the first Clemson walk-on to earn All-American honors. He did not remain a walk-on long after that.

Clemson place kicker Greg Huegel (92) kicks an extra point against South Carolina during the 2nd quarter Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Clemson's Memorial Stadium.(Photo: BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)

In 2016, Huegel contributed to Clemson’s run to the national championship with 14 field goals and 71 extra points. He was named a Lou Groza Award semifinalist. Heugel’s junior season was curtailed after the third game when he tore a knee ligament during practice.

Huegel recovered fully and reclaimed his starting role this season. He converted nine of 13 field goal attempts and all 68 extra points. He became the sixth Clemson player to surpass 300 career points and the seventh Tiger to record more than 50 field goals.

“If I went back in time and saw myself whenever I was a senior in high school, and I told him everything I’ve gone through, there’s no way that I would believe a single word,” Huegel said. “Just because of the journey I’ve gone through.

"I never thought I would make the team. I just had a belief that that was truly what I wanted to do. Working every single day on kicking and in the weight room was what I had to do to make that dream happen. It’s really cool and an absolute blessing. I thank God every day for the experience.”

Clemson holder Will Swinney (22) congratulates place kicker Greg Huegel (92) after Huegel kicked a field goal against Boston College during the 2nd quarter at Boston College's Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, MA. Saturday, November 10, 2018.(Photo: BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)

Huegel has matured mentally from the aspirant walk-on he was then to the seasoned specialist he is now. His biggest challenge was overcoming the fear of failure.

“It’s OK to mess up,” Huegel said. “Obviously, you’re going to be hard on yourself and you want to do the best of your ability, but freshman year, you’re coming out and you have the jitters and it’s a mental game.

“Obviously, it still is, but it's more whenever you’re a freshman, because you come out and it’s 85,000 people and you’ve got to zoom focus. A lot of times people think about messing up. As a senior, you just need to know it’s OK as long as you bounce back and learn from it.”

Clemson place kicker Greg Huegel (92) prepares to kick an extra point against Wake Forest during the 3rd quarter at BB&T Field in Winston Salem, N.C. Saturday, October 6, 2018. (Photo: BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)

Hugel asserted that he has been steeled by the culture of diligence within Clemson's program. He is not rattled during the clutch moments, because he approaches every kick like it is a potential game-winner.

"Every game of the week is the biggest game of the year. What has allowed us to be successful to this point is that fact that we have kept that mindset," Huegel said. "Clemson plays to a standard, not to an opponent. You get the same exact atmosphere every week."